Restaurant of the Month: Kurry Qulture
Even though I’m a Manhattan kinda girl, I’ve taken the yellow line out to Astoria a few times in the last month alone. What’s the draw, you ask? Only the tastiest (and not to mention prettiest) Indian food I’ve ever had this side of Calcutta! Kurry Qulture features a progressive menu with seasonal and artfully plated dishes from India’s Southern Coast. The ambiance is warm and inviting, with plenty of candle light and hanging lights (twinkle style!), bright art pieces showcasing the vibrant culture of India, and a playlist filled with upbeat Bollywood tunes.
The owner, Sonny Solomon, brings his fine dining experiences from some of the best spots in the city (including 1 CPS by David Burke and Mercer Kitchen by Jean George Vongerichten) to Kurry Qulture… With a price point everyone will jump for. Did we mention there’s an option to dine outdoors in their garden?
To Drink
The cocktail menu is divided into three categories: bright, light, and tight. Easy!
The drinks listed below each fit well into those sections. Light and perfect for spring – the No Fire Engine is made with rosemary infused gin, passion fruit and champagne. For a tight offering, consider the Hex-Mex with mezcal, house-made pineapple and chili syrups and fresh squeezed lime juice. And of course there’s plenty of international beer and wine options!
To Start
Signature starters include the KQ Cauliflower – flash-fried for a tender-crisp texture and coated in a flavorful garlic tomato chutney (perfect for vegetarians, but loved by meat eaters, too!). The KQ kababs are one of the most popular appetizers with tailored sauces for each, like turkey, ground and marinated with coriander and cucumber, topped with a cranberry chutney, and chicken bukhni, marinated in three chili peppers and paired with pineapple chutney.
The Main Event
Now that your appetite is properly open, order a plate of the Chicken Kali Mirch, which is tender chunks of chicken in a fragrant sauce of black pepper and garam masala. Fellow vegetarians, you’ll be blown away with the Sweet & Sour Eggplant sautéed in a zesty tomato-tamarind sauce. But whatever you do, make sure to save plenty of room for their specialty in-house made naan bread. Paying homage to the traditionally Greek neighborhood the restaurant is nestled in, they have a scrumptious olive and garlic naan on the menu, which will send all your carb limitation intentions right out the window!
If you enjoy dipping your bread, get a selection of the house made chutneys, which come in many unique flavors such as cranberry, pineapple, plum, tomato, and apple.
Dessert
There’s a good chance you’ll be stuffed to the gills by this point, but if you have it in you for one more course get the shahi tukda. This version of traditional southern bread pudding with a thin cracker-like brioche crisp is soaked in condensed milk and sprinkled with cinnamon.
Good To Know
If you’re planning a special night at Kurry Qulture, experience the chef’s six-course seasonal tasting menu, tailored to guests’s individual taste preferences, and for only $60! It’s truly one of the best deals you’ll find for a tasting menu in NYC, especially one that’s mentioned in the 2017 Michelin Guide!
If brunch is more your thing, join them every Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 3. The restaurant is super accessible via public transportation, just jump on the N Train to 30th Ave or M/R Train to Steinway Street.
What sounds most appealing to you at Kurry Qulture? Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter and let us know!
Posted in Glenwood News, manhattan living, NYC Dining | Tagged authentic indian food nyc • indian food astoria • indian food nyc • indian food queens
